Zelig Golden

Rabbi Zelig’s vision for a thriving, earth-based Jewish tradition developed out of a lifetime of nature connection, Jewish leadership, and commitment to healing our world. The Founding Director of Wilderness Torah, Zelig invokes mentorship, facilitation, and ceremonial tools to guide an annual cycle of land-based pilgrimage festivals, nature-based rites of passage, local community cultivation, and trainings for Jewish leaders across the world. He provides thought leadership on the cutting edge of the earth-based Judaism movement through written teachings, dvar Torah, public talks, and scholar in residence programs. He conducts lifecycle events, provides spiritual direction, and mentors a growing number of individuals within his greater Bay Area community. He was ordained Rabbi through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal, with the prestigious Wexner Graduate Fellowship; received a Masters in Jewish Studies from Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union; was ordained Mashpiah Ruchani (Spiritual Directo) by ALEPH; and was ordained Maggid by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi ztz”l on Lag B’Omer 5771. He previously worked as an environmental lawyer, including a landmark U.S. Supreme Court victory protecting food and farms. He has long guided groups into the wilderness. He lives in Occidental, CA with his wife Rachel and two kids.